Annan urges end to Syria violence

Thursday, March 08, 2012 - 01:30

Mar 8 - U.N.-Arab League special envoy on Syria, Kofi Annan, warns against the use of more force in Syria. Nick Rowlands reports.

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Speaking from Cairo, the U.N.-Arab League special envoy on Syria, Kofi Annan, rejected any foreign intervention against President Bashar al-Assad's government.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.N.-ARAB LEAGUE SPECIAL ENVOY ON SYRIA KOFI ANNAN, SAYING:
"I believe any further militarisation will make the situation worse. We have to be careful that we don't introduce a medicine that is worse than the disease. We don't have to go very far in the region to find an example of what I am talking about."
Annan was speaking after talks with Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby, who said no-one wanted a repeat of the Libya scenario in which NATO airstrikes were instrumental in toppling Muammar Gaddafi.
Both Annan and Elaraby stressed that the people of Syria are in a dire situation, but that the solutions should be Syrian led.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE ARAB LEAGUE, NABIL ELARABY, SAYING:
"What is needed now, really, is to stop the fighting, to introduce the humanitarian assistance, medical assistance, and to start a political process that will lead to the realisation of what the people in Syria would like to have."
An Arab League initiative calling for Assad to step down has been cited in a U.N. General Assembly resolution, but this is not binding.
Some Arab states, mostly Saudi-led Gulf nations, have said they are prepared to arm the Syrian rebels if no political solution is found soon.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.

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